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Strike Means Trucks Back Up At Oakland Port

A dock workers strike has practically closed down the Port of Oakland, CA, since Tuesday, resulting in tractor-trailers backing up for half a mile outside the port.

The port has been able to unload trucks onto the docks. Perishable cargo in refrigerated containers was hooked up to generators to prevent spoiling.About 1,400 longshore workers walked off the job Tuesday morning after the Pacific Maritime Assn. refused their request to hire a second "signalman" to keep watch as the port's 12 cranes transfer containers between tractor-trailers and ocean-going cargo vessels. The strike so far has been limited to Oakland, which handles 12% of West Coast shipping. However, slowdowns have been reported at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach.